The implementation of the 12-year basic education cycle will not take place in the next six years, under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said Thursday.

Luistro said changing the current 10-year cycle to 12 years is possible under Aquino’s term but may not be implemented because the existing curriculum should be finished first. “But once decision has been made, it would be irreversible,” he firmly said.

The 12-year basic education cycle is among the top priority areas of Aquino in the 10-point educational agenda during his campaign. But, Luistro said that the issue whether to add two more years will be resolved only when a general review of the basic education curriculum has been conducted. “The question is not whether we should add or not. Rather, it should focus on having holistic curriculum for every Filipino child.”

Luistro said that the issue is not if there is a need for two more years. “Why not add two more years if needed? Even if it’s 13 or 14 years as long as we can prove that is what the students need but if we can come up with a core curriculum that is packed with concepts our students really need, maybe 10 years would suffice.”

Meanwhile, he clarified that he is not going against any order of President Aquino.

“The marching order is address educational backlog in two years. Mainly, those are classroom shortages, teacher-related issues, and school facilities. The issue on the 12-year cycle is another thing,” he said.

Luistro said that the President has given DepEd the direction it should take.